Experience Shared: What it’s really like to get laser hair removal on your vagina

Laser hair removal is a permanent solution to unwanted hair in any body part. Before discussing the core of the topic, let’s start by discussing-

Why the hair removal at the first place and how it helped me in achieving my self-esteem?

All throughout, my high school days I used to be an athlete and a member of school Basketball team and I loved myself in the team’s Basketball jersey. Basketball jerseys are usually sleeveless unless you play in some cold countries. As much as I enjoyed flaunting my jersey, at the same time, there was something I didn’t feel good about while out on the court. I used to be conscious all the time about my thick, black armpit hair showing out there, during the basketball games. While I know that some people are confident enough to grow out their body hair, however, as a teen, I wasn’t as confident. Because of my insecurity and lowered self-esteem, my mother scheduled an appointment with laser hair removal clinic and helped me to get rid of hair on my armpits and upper lip as I turned 16. My mother had gotten a few laser hair removal treatments done herself, therefore, she was aware of the benefits of the laser fix. And, this really helped me after the treatment as I did not have not to think of my hair exposing, instead I focused on improving my game.

Who are good candidate for hair removal through laser techniques?

I am a female with light complexion skin, and I have thick, dark hair all over my body. A light complexion makes even slightest amount of hair more visible to the eyes as the fair skin acts as a perfect white background for the dark hair, such as, in my case. And therefore, my case is a perfect example for hair laser removal, as waxing and shaving increases the hair growth and looks ugly over a period of time. The derma laser center goes through a thorough check-up in order to examine the type of skin and the suited laser techniques as there are many ways of carrying out laser hair removal. And, hence every laser treatment should be initiated with an in-depth consultation with the doctor.

Most laser hair removal clinic follow the standard protocol to decide candidates who are not suitable for laser hair removal, that includes a set of questions to be answered for example, pregnancy related questions, past medical history, history of melanoma, raised moles, hives, tattoos, actives herpes, or any ongoing unhealthy medical condition.

To break down into simpler words, the ideal candidates are people who have pale, light, fair or wheatish complexion and dark hair. Unfortunately, due to lack of melanin, people with blonde, red, or grey hair aren’t ideal candidates.

However, if this description of ideal candidate doesn’t fit you, always go in for a consultation before giving up because you never know, as there are many types of laser machines and techniques, which might suites the person.

Now coming to the burning question, “How was my first appointment and treatment session of laser hair removal on my vagina?” When I went in for my first treatment, I wanted to get rid of all my pubic hair, I wanted to go completely bare instead of a slight bikini trim. The night before I had my first treatment session, I was asked to shave my vagina and the perineal area as well, because that was part of my vagina laser hair removal session. The standard protocol advised prior to laser hair removal is that all patients should shave within 12 hours of his or her treatment and refrain from plucking or waxing six weeks prior to their every treatment session.

The clinic I went to didn’t allow a numbing treatment on the first session. Instead, they applied a cool gel on my vaginal area. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel pain or anything sort of it on my first treatment, only a slight prick every time they lasered my hair. With newer technologies and advancement, there are absolutely pain-free laser systems available such as Smooth-pulse hair removal system. So, if it’s your first time and you are apprehensive about the pain, then do a research and check with your clinic to see if they use that system.

The second time I got laser hair removal, I purposely didn’t opt for the numbing gel, so I could feel everything. I could usually tolerate the pain, but during that treatment, the heat and the rubber-like snapping of the laser made me to pause twice during the session. By the third time, I made sure to use the numbing gel, and it went all smooth and pain-free.

The first time I got laser hair removal on my vagina, it felt like mild bruising. While it was totally fine for me to use the bathroom, it felt like I had worked out that part of my body and therefore it was sore. The second and third time, there was more redness because of enhance levels of treatment in subsequent sessions and a bit of scabbing as my hair was trying to grow back out.

Later, I came to know from my therapist is that bruising, scabbing, and redness may occur which are commonly occurring side effects. Other side effects include injury to the epiderma, swelling, blistering, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation and in rare cases there may be textural changes in the skin- crusting, scabbing, or scarring.

Initial days, after the laser treatment, hair grows as the burnt hairs try to come out, but there is nothing to worry about seeing hair after you just removed it. Even though you’ll get an urge to shave it, avoid doing so. Gradually, after every treatment, the hair will thin and come out less. For me, once the burned hairs came out, I didn’t have to shave my vagina area until about three or four weeks.

One should also avoid sex for at least 24 hours after treatments as there is down time related with the laser treatment and the body takes its own time to heal.

Are the results, worth taking the pain and the pinch on the pocket?

Since, I only got four treatment sessions for my vaginal hair growth, my hair still grows down there and I do have to shave it when I really have to. However, I have noticed that my hair now is comparatively thinner and less in density as to what it used to be before I went for laser fix. And, now it takes longer for the hair to grow back, especially in my groin area. On an average, people start seeing definite results after 8 to 12 sessions. The more the number of sessions, the better the results will be.

So, after all the pain, I can without any doubt say that I am glad I chose laser hair removal on my vagina, as it is more comfortable, lesser messier and clean. All I have to say to girls who do not enjoy working up a razor down there, go for laser hair fix and feel confident and happy about being a woman without any hassle.